Dark Chocolate Graham Cracker Brownies

My youngest just came home from the hospital last night after staying there 3 days from an asthma attack.  The whole time there, he wanted brownies.  This morning, I made these really easy fudgy brownies for him.  I know he will be happy to share with the rest of us.  Enjoy them out of the oven while they are soft and gooey or let them cool and they are chewy outer covering and fudgy inside.  Either way, I know you will love them!  Use different flavor graham crackers, chips, dried fruit, nuts .... for a variety of new brownies.  I am thinking quite a few ways to enjoy them!

Sour Cream Ganache

What do you do when you don't have cream to make a ganache?  You use what you have in the refrigerator, this for me meant sour cream.   I love the way it tastes on my overpowering chocolate brownie and Frozen Banana Eclair Cake.  This gets very thick as it cools so work fast.  You can use a little more sour cream if you want it thinner, but not too much.  You don't want a strong taste of the sour cream.  I used Hershey's Dark Chocolate Special Blend and it turned out almost bittersweet.  We loved it.  Next time you are out of cream, grab the sour cream.

Frozen Dark Chocolate Banana Slices

These are great for after school snacks or a cool treat after a day outside.  Yeah, it's warm in Florida at the end of January!  A delightful bite of creamy, frozen banana, deep dark chocolate and your favorite topping.

Frozen Dark Chocolate Banana Slices

For One Banana

banana, sliced

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips, I use Hershey's Special Dark

1 teaspoon coconut oil or solid shortening

favorite toppings, optional

Put dark chocolate chips and coconut oil in a small microwave proof bowl.  In microwave, 1100 watt, heat on high for 30 seconds..stir until melted.  If needed, heat it another 10 seconds at 5 seconds intervals so you don't overheat the chocolate.  

Put a piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet or platter that is freezer proof.  

Dip sliced banana in melted dark chocolate.  

Tap the fork on the edge to remove excess chocolate.  Place on a piece of parchment paper. Top with your favor toppings, if desired.  Put in freezer until frozen solid.  My boys were eating them after 30 minutes.  

The chocolate was hardened but the banana wasn't completely frozen.

It took them outside to take a picture and my mini horse wanted to visit. ~smile~

Chocolate Oatmeal Cake For My Birthday

Yep, it's my birthday.  My 50th Birthday.  One half of a century old.  I have boys.  A 9 1/2 year old and 5 1/2 year old twins.  Hubby of 24 years.  Beautiful friends.  Some loving family.  Dogs, cats, mini horses, big ole pigs and an old goat.  I'm a Blessed and Happy Old Girl!

Here is my birthday cake.  I didn't want an overly sweet cake.  This is dense, moist, rich and chocolaty.  You may want to use regular cocoa and semi sweet chips if you want a sweeter cake.  Love and hugs!

Chocolate Oatmeal Cake

1 cup quick oats, my homemade instant oatmeal works great

1 1/4 cup water, boiling, I think I will use milk or buttermilk next cake

1/2 cup Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa, or any cocoa

1 1/2 cups King Arthur unbleached all purpose flour

1 1/2 cups sugar

3 Tablespoons molasses, unsulphured

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup oil

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 cup Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate Chips or semi-sweet, optional

Put oatmeal in a bowl, sift cocoa in, add boiling water, stir and set aside for 20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.  

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Grease bundt pan.  My bundt pan was too large  I think I have a 12 cup. 

In large mixing bowl whisk, or sift, together flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda.

Beat together sugar, molasses and oil.  Beat in eggs until mixed.  Add flour mixture and beat just until incorporated.  Add oatmeal mixture and vanilla, stirring to mix well but not over mix.  

Pour batter in bundt pan and cook for 20 - 30 minutes.  It's done when toothpick comes out clean.  Always check before earliest time.  

Let cool for 20 minutes.  Run a plastic knife around edges, I use one of my twins old zoo pal knives,  ~smile~  Remove from pan onto serving plate or cooling rack. 

Top with ganache or dust with powdered sugar.  

Dark Chocolate Ganache

1/4 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup Hershey's Dark Special Chocolate Chips or semi sweet chips

Heat cream just until boil.  While heating but chocolate chips in a bowl. 

Once cream has come to a boil, pour over chocolate chips.

Whisk until chocolate is melted and smooth.

Spoon over cake.

Slice and enjoy warm or place in refrigerator to set chocolate. 

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Weekend Potluck #41